There are many studies out there that tout the virtues of caring instructors, and the importance of this to student success. I recently read an article on Faculty Focus by Maryellen Weimer, PhD (Nov 11, 2015) that once again highlights the need for students to know that they are not just a number. She summarizes the studies she has reviewed by saying, "The interactions students have with their teachers and the kind of relationships that teachers establish with students profoundly affect students' learning experiences."

But what if you don't care about your students?

We have all had "that" student who is difficult in the classroom, whether it is because the students shows such disrespect to us as their instructor or the course as a whole, or the way they treat and interact with other students. What then? Can we fake our caring, like a good actor on the big screen? Even if you could, for a while, could you continue to fake it for the duration of your course, and should you?

You should, in my humble opinion. Perhaps not fake it, but make an effort to not disconnect from your students' needs, regardless of how they accept your concern and caring for them. As with parenting or teaching students in the elementary and secondary school system, often the ones that are the hardest to reach and who reject us the most are the ones who NEED us and our concern the most. By remaining calm and assertive (yes, that is from Cesar Milan), and not wavering from what we envision for our students and classroom, we will be able to make a difference even to the most unreceptive of students. Even if they don't show it, I think they will appreciate our willingness to not give up on them if nothing else. I have witnessed it countless times over the course of my years of teaching and I know it matters.

"Be the change that you wish to see in the world." Mahatma Ghandi

Weimer, M. (2015, November 11). Caring About Students Matters. Retrieved November 11, 2015, from http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-professor-blog/caring-about-students-matters/

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Shauna Sasaki

I fell into teaching over 22 years ago and haven't looked back. Although I had never planned on getting into this profession, I discovered that I loved it and have never felt that I was teaching. Opening the world of possibilities to my students, and giving them support to be able to reach out far to achieve their goals, is where my passion in teaching lies.